Got a winch for X-mas.
Finally got around to installing it this weekend.
Used this thread as inspiration on mounting: http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showf...;amp;page=0&fpart=1&vc=1

So it's all on and the cable has been tensioned. Works good pulling it across the yard with the hand brake on.
Still needs a bit more tie in to the frame I think though. Dragged it up a good sized dirt mound that the tires sank into with the brakes on and noticed a slight bit of flexing, but it kept moving. But it would definitely pull me out of the snow or something as long as I didn't do something totally stupid and bury it in 3' of "cascade cement" with the wheels hanging in the air.......
So I'll be beefing it up more and still need to add the finishing touches.

Test fit of the plate and marking where the front winch bolts stick through.


Bored out two holes that the front winch bolt heads fit into. I locktighted and torqued the crap out of them. Can't get to them without a good amount of dis-assembly of the front end. A sort of winch anti-theft.


Used the stock plate bracket. It fit where I wanted it perfectly. Just had to drill a couple holes.



So a bit more bracing (In the end it will end up welded to the frame, this is permanent. Front bumper cover was all cracked up from banging rocks anyway.) and I need to finish off the ends and add some sheet to make it look more integrated to the body. But it's back together for the time being.
I'm stoked.
It has a blacked out strip of gutter guard across the top of the grill opening for now (not in pics). The winch blocks the rest from stones and such. I'll get a big piece of expanded metal and make a grill for it eventually as well.

Nice work! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> It's good to see one of my mod-projects was helpful for someone. Looking forward to seeing the finished build... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
Your build seemed like the best way to do it. Simple and gets the job done, can be customized to make it just how you want.
I was thinking of the Rocksport bumper. but all of a sudden I had the time to work on it and don't even know if he is making them anymore. Then the fact the steel was cheap to make this. I love the local steelyard.

Did some more to the front bumper Saturday and took it out to play in the snow Sunday on a winter waterfall tour that a member of one of the local 4x4 forums led.

Best pic I have right now. Can't see the smaller legs that kick down to brace the sides.


Found a bit of snow. We didn't get in any really deep stuff. So the winch has yet to be used. But that's ok. Certainly did make me feel more comfortable knowing there was another option of recovery bombing off in the deep stuff on the sides out of the tracks though at spots we needed to turn around.


There is still more to be done. Need to dig up some stuff for a skidplate that reaches up to the bumper. I think I have some stuff around here.

All total the bumper itself weighs in at 43 pounds.
And the winch on the winch plate weighs 100 pounds.
There will probably be a couple pounds added to that before it's all said and done. And I hope to get some synthetic line and shave 20+ pounds back off with that as soon as I can.
I lost between 1/2 and 3/4" up front from the weight.
there will be a rear bumper as well using pretty much the same idea. Only it will just go all the way across and have a hitch built into it. So I'll probably be adding parts that go further up and attach to the frame in other spots as well.

Added another center brace that bolts to the crossmember. To triangulate things a bit.
Should help with vertical support plus it runs just behind the skidplate. And a skidplate. It's thin, but I had it laying around left over from when I did a skidplate on a Focus I had for Rallycross racing, so it was free. It will at least protect from stuff kicking up into the condenser/radiator from below.



Pretty much done now other than capping off the main tubes unless I notice any weak points that need an extra gusset.